What’s Behind UNCEN Student Sweeping by Indonesian Police?

The rumor that police often act arbitrarily against West Papuan is not new. By using these rumors, West Papua’s freedom fighters have often fanned the issue stating that the Indonesian military is inhibiting freedom of speech by arresting people for no reason. This time the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) also condemned the police’s conduct of sweeping against students from Cenderawasih University (UNCEN) and spreading the news to international media.

Chronology

On Monday (September 3, 2018), the Indonesian police conducted inspections on several UNCEN’s rusunawa (Rumah Susun Sederhana Sewa or rented flats) for there is alleged motorcycle thief group hiding there.

At the time of the inspection, the Indonesian Police and Indonesian National Armed Forces Joint Team searched six rusunawa to find the perpetrators for theft of 39 motorcycle units. ULMWP then referred to this sweeping as “Police Search without Notification”.

At first the police received evidence of the stolen motorbike from a man with the initial AM who was suspected of being the stolen motorbike catcher. Based on his confession, his Honda Beat was bought from someone who lived in rusunawa for IDR 2,000,000. Based on this information, the police chief proceeded to inspect and confiscate evidence.

“As many as 39 motorbikes were secured, there were already 8 units suspected as stolen goods, it was cross-checked with police reports about motorbike theft,” said AKBP Gustav R Urbinas Jayapura City Police Chief.

Unmitigated, the police were assisted by Kodim 1701 / Jayapura, this time deploying 350 personnel during the search. During this time the apartment complex was often used as a storage place for stolen motorbikes, moreover the search was not the first time the police carried out.

The police assisted by KODIM 1701/Jayapura (Komando Distrik Militer or Military District Commander) deployed 350 personnels during the search. The rusunawa often used as the storage place for stolen motorbikes, moreover this was not the first time the police conduct search for the same case.

Gustav admitted that as they conducted search, an argument happened. However, the search continued smoothly after a humanist and cooperative approach.

ULMWP Condemned Student Arrests

The ULMWP (United Liberation Movement for West Papua) is a West Papua liberation organization that was established in December 2014. It is ironic how ULMWP denounced the Indonesian National Police’s actions on social media without explaining the reasons behind the arrest of students involved in suspected motorbike theft cases. ULMWP’s statement is actually support motorbike theft; a crime that has been troubling Papuans.

As an organization that works in the name of liberation movement, ULMWP should not sell false issues to the international public. ULMWP likely keens to create illusions and other false realities related to problems in West Papua. This behavior actually leads to provocateurship who take advantage of the moment for certain interests. Incorrect reporting will actually make the public in Asia Pacific countries lose their sympathy for ULMWP.